Amit Shah hits back at Priyanka Gandhi for tying Vande Mataram debate to Bengal polls, ‘nobody is scared of…’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, December 9, dismissed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s charge that the ongoing Vande Mataram debate was politically timed ahead of the Bengal elections. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah accused Priyanka Gandhi of “diminishing” the importance of the national song.

Responding to her remarks and accusing the Congress MP of attempting of create a political narrative where none existed, Amit Shah said, “Some people want to diminish importance of 'Vande Mataram' by trying to link it to Bengal elections.”

“Congress MPs are questioning the need for having discussions on Vande Mataram and calling it a political strategy and a way of diverting from the issues. Nobody is scared of discussions on issues. We are not the ones boycotting the Parliament. If they want to discuss, they need to stop boycotting, and all discussions will take place. We are not scared of or trying to hide anything,” the Union home minister said.

Furthering her attack on the Congress, Amit Shah brought up Jawaharlal Nehru and said, “When the golden jubilee of Vande Mataram was due, Jawaharlal Nehru limited the national song to two stanzas. When Vande Mataram was limited after it completed 50 years, that is when appeasement started. That appeasement led to the partition of the country. Had the Congress not divided Vande Mataram for appeasement, the country would not have been divided into two... When Vande Mataram completed 100 years, an Emergency was imposed. There was no scope for the glorification of the national song.”

Taking a swipe at Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, Amit Shah charged that both were absent from the House, adding that the Congress has consistently opposed Vande Mataram.

“Vande Mataram an immortal creation that evokes sense of duty, dedication towards Mother India. Discussion of Vande Mataram in both Houses will help future generations understand its true importance, glory. Govt decides to celebrate 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in a big way all through the year: Amit Shah in RS,” the home minister said as he also urged the MPs to inculcate spirit of Vande Mataram among younger generation.